Gaming Is Again Redefined: Award-Winning Franchise Returns to the PlayStation(R)3 (PS3(TM)) System in LittleBigPlanet(TM) 2

FOSTER CITY, Calif., May 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC. (SCEA) announced today plans to release LittleBigPlanet™ 2, the sequel to the award-winning, multi-million unit selling hit LittleBigPlanet™, exclusively for the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) system.  Developed by Media Molecule, LittleBigPlanet 2 will provide fans a new means to PLAY, CREATE, and SHARE, including a revamped graphics engine supplying stunning visuals, a fresh storyline, added accessories and equipment for Sackboy, and revolutionary gameplay mechanics providing players a level of control and customization that has never been seen before.  

"Since LittleBigPlanet launched, our online community has created an amazing selection of levels with the tools available," said Scott A. Steinberg, vice president, product marketing, SCEA.  "With LittleBigPlanet 2, users will now have a new, evolved Create mode with the ability to make actual games, not just levels, providing an endless gaming adventure for fans, as well as an entertainment experience that can be enjoyed by the entire family."

Utilizing an updated graphics engine and state-of-the-art visual technologies, LittleBigPlanet 2 will showcase Sackboy better than ever.  Along his adventure, the stitched together icon will have access to new equipment to aid him on his journey, including a grappling hook, power gloves, a magic bag, and more, all anchored by a fresh storyline to PLAY that is set in an artistically modernized new world.  Players will also have the opportunity to add customizable Sackbots (robot Sackboys) to their creations.  These interactive, programmable characters bring the game to life and allow users to record animations and voice-overs with them, as well as customize sizing and clothing for each individual or group of Sackbots.

LittleBigPlanet has always empowered players to CREATE their own levels by utilizing the same tool set used by the development team.  In LittleBigPlanet 2, the tools have evolved to allow users to not only make better levels, but completely new games.  With the implementation of a new CREATE mode, players will have the ability to broaden their developer horizons across multiple genres.  Now allowing for a higher level of gameplay control, players can reset the control buttons for any object and change the rules to any level—imagine racing games, flying games, and shooters–you can now take control of anything!  Also included are new multiplayer abilities so games can have life meters, scoring, and other elements to advance the types of games available for a social/competitive multiplayer experience, including puzzle games, sports, action/adventure, and more.  Added to these fundamentals are a movie-like cut-scene maker to improve the storyline components of each creation and a newly enhanced SHARE component making it easier to search for, play through, and showcase the millions of levels around the world.

LittleBigPlanet 2 will be backwards compatible with LittleBigPlanet allowing players to access all online levels created with the original game.  It will also include bonus levels that will support the PlayStation®Move navigation controller.  LittleBigPlanet 2 is a single or multiplayer creative gaming experience that has an ESRB rating of "RP" for Rating Pending.  For more information about the ESRB, visit www.esrb.org.  For more information about the LittleBigPlanet franchise, visit www.littlebigplanet.com.

Acclaim for the LittleBigPlanet Franchise

Since its launch in October 2008, LittleBigPlanet has been widely praised and critically acclaimed with more than 80 industry awards worldwide, 15 of which have been for Game of the Year categories, with awards ranging from the top gaming critics to prestigious organizations such as the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences (AIAS) and The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).  The title has established the PLAY, CREATE, SHARE creative gaming genre and the game continues to grow and evolve, helped by the support of countless fans around the globe.  The customizable nature of the unique PlayStation® exclusive title allows players to alter characters and build entirely new objects and levels, then share and play them online as part of the LittleBigPlanet community.  In fact, the sharing nature of the game has become so embraced, it has attracted fans to publish more than two million levels to the PlayStation Network since the award-winning game was released.  

About Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system, the ground-breaking PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system and its online and network services PlayStation®Network and PlayStation®Store.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PlayStation 3 and the PSP system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Visit us on the Web at http://www.us.playstation.com.

"PlayStation", "PSP", "PS one" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks and "PS3" is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.  LittleBigPlanet ©2007 Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.  Developed by Media Molecule.  LittleBigPlanet is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.  Sackboy is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC.

SOURCE Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC.